Matthew Weiner talks to TV Line about Elisabeth Moss returning for S6, viewer reaction to Megan, and the likelihood of S7.

More Emmy reax? We got ’em! Matthew Weiner talks to The Hollywood Reporter about what sells Mad Men to Emmy voters and viewers alike.

Jared Harris reacted to his Emmy nomination at the New York Daily News, Entertainment Weekly and CNN. [He told EW he started to get drunk right after getting the news. As Trudy Campbell would say, “Good for you!” -K]

At the HuffPo, Ben Feldman seemed bowled over by his nomination and gushed about co-stars, among other things.

Semi Chellas talks to the Vancouver Sun about her Emmy nods, working motherhood and more.

Fred Pierson, a former AMPAS president who wrote the screenplays for Cool Hand Luke, Dog Day Afternoon, and many other memorable films, not to mention MM S5’s “Signal 30,” died after a short illness. Matt Weiner comments.

Jon Hamm dressed as the Big Apple to wishing Kristen Schaal the best of luck moving to Los Angeles. He is also returning to the Adult Swim comedy Childrens Hospital. And it appears that Jon is getting a new level of tabloid coverage.

Terry Teachout argues that it was in 1962, not 1968, that the curtain first started inching up on our age of full-color anxiety. [While Mad Men’s 1966 was disturbing, Matt Weiner might not argue, given the gap between S1 and S2. -K]

9 Responses to “Basket of News, July 21-27, 2012”

I am so happy that Semi Chellas got so much recognition for her writing…she really came in and did two incredible episodes. I hope she’s integral to season 6.

I’m also a wee bit happy that Matthew Weiner acknowledged that he got some flack for making S5 so Meg heavy. Especially since when Emmy time came around, there weren’t any true “showcase” episodes for Hamm and Moss, but you could have picked out 10 for Pare since all of them revolved around her. Just saying. Okay, stepping off my soapbox.

I also read that Hamm submitted “The Other Woman” for his Emmy submission…but I don’t even remember what he did in that ep, except kiss Peggy’s hand.

Me too (re: Megan flak). it’s his show, MW can highlight whomever he wants. He can pay attention to feedback or not. But if he didn’t ever feel like he got feedback then I’d be a little bummed.

My thoughts on Megan:
– I think Jessica Pare did a fine job with the role. I think I got what her character was about. I liked her challenges (separating herself from both Don and her father’s expectations). I liked she wasn’t perfect (temper tantrum) and I liked that she was generally a good person who loves Don. It was nice to see someone who KNEW Don’s past and was happy for him.
– But I felt I lost “Don” in the Megan story. It’s that’s simple. I saw and appreciated his arc this year but I wish he had had more scenes reflecting on what Megan meant to him. I guess it’s a problem with not having anyone he talks to.

And yes, I feel Peggy was shortchanged this year. The story was terrific for what little airtime it got.

Finally, I wish he had mentioned Kartheiser’s perennial snub. It feels like the elephant in the living room. He gave VK outstanding material. VK hit is out of the ball-park and then some. And no Emmy love. No Emmy love for Signal 30 either. It just is bothersome.

Has anyone heard how the release of BB’s S-5 DVDs will be handled? It’s a “split” season, with 8 episodes airing now, then the final 8 airing in mid-2013. Will they release S-5a (the first 8) next spring, with S-5b (the final 8) later?

If they wait until all of the S-5 episodes have aired, it would mean we wouldn’t get the DVDs until late 2013 or even early 2014 – with seems like a rather long wait.

Although I know what you mean, I don’t think the initial price is all that expensive, given that you get 13 hours of excellent drama, 26 hours of commentary and various bonus features (which will likely feature Basketcases this year). That said, I do like the price drop for gift sets.